If the label conjures up ideas of watercolour paintings of familiar landmarks or country scenes, then it isn?t right for him.

On the other hand, if he is called a modern artist, that too may present an altogether inaccurate image.

He is not unmaking beds or displaying human organs in cases. But Pete is local, his work is modern and he is an artist. It is just that he defies the categories in which many outside of the world of art might want to place an artist.

He is the man who brought a mystery black monolith to town and tried to bring a Mythic Beast too. He is also the man planning to project images of Rugby individuals on to the Rugby Cement tower.

?Because I?m interested in using projections as part of my installations, I was looking for a suitable building,? he said. ?I hadn?t actually thought at the time that there was one right on the doorstep. It is perfect because of its size and the fact you can see it from miles away.?

Pete will photograph volunteers and project the images in succession from 7pm until midnight on November 5.

Pete Thornley is not short of ideas and judging from visitor comments, his exhibition Arcanum at Floor One at the Rugby Art Gallery, Museum and Library was well liked. It presented photographs of a naked woman sleeping. In each the woman was in the same pose and the only thing that changed was the shape of her body as pregnancy progressed.

At 48, he is drawing on years of artistic experience in both visual arts and music.

Born in Marton and brought up in Rugby, he attended Lawrence Sheriff School. Pete took his art A-level early and went on to Rugby Art College for an arts foundation course, then to higher education, gaining an honours degree in history of art. Until recently he was a lecturer in art history and film studies.

But those bald facts hide a more vibrant picture. Pete has always actively promoted and encouraged all forms of music in the Rugby area. In the 80s he was involved in staging two Rugby Live Aid events which attracted big-name bands.

In recent years though his efforts have concentrated on his photographic work and on The Tantalus Project - an artists? collective he founded in 1998.

Last year The Tantalus Project came very close to pulling off an events coup in Rugby. Mythic Beast was a proposed outdoor sound and light show but ill-health forced a vital performer to pull out and the show had to be postponed. It may yet take place in Rugby.

The most controversial piece to date has been the mystery monolith - Intervention 2001 - which appeared on a roundabout in Rugby. It was the work of two members of The Tantalus Project who put it up in homage to Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke?s monolith in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey and was also a comment about the millennium.

Pete?s knowledge of installations, projection and photography all culminate with his latest and biggest project to date - the cement tower, which has the working title of Twelve Decades - Rugby?s Community.